subject: How to Cope with a Culture Shock! [print this page] How to Cope with a Culture Shock! How to Cope with a Culture Shock!
The new sights, tastes, smells and sounds that you experience when you start Teaching English abroad are amazing, but it can be a little overwhelming. So it's only natural to suffer from a bit of a culture shock. Here are a few tips you can use to prevent it:
1) Manage your expectations
So your flights are booked and are waiting in anticipation to head out to your new TEFL destination, one thing you should check before you get there is the place you'll be staying in. It's a good way to know exactly what you should expect so you won't be in for any awkward surprises. To get a good idea of what you can expect you can read other people's stories like the ones on i-to-i's Chalkboard. Try to get an idea of the kind of challenges that you could be faced with and how to handle any situations out of the ordinary.
2) Don't panic
"I've just arrived and no one speaks English what do I do?!" Don't worry! everyone feels this way at first. You've just arrived in a new country - so you're not familiar with a lot of things! Imagine if you were welcoming someone into your country, they probably wouldn't even know where to start! Give things time to settle and find a place that you can call a safe haven for yourself. And more importantly
3) Be open to new things!
When you go to a new country, it's always best to have an open mind! Try to get out there and see as much as you can and do as much as you can. This way you can find where you'll be shopping for your groceries, where you can learn to dress like the locals, and even your new local bar! By doing so, you'll surely meet your new neighbours and even make some friends along the way. Just remember, be yourself!
4) Remember your roots
It's always worth bringing some photos and things that remind you of home. It helps you along your journey if you know what you've got to go home to. So invest in a phone card or sign up to Skype! You'll have plenty to talk about when your family and friends are asking about what you've been up to and I'm sure they will have plenty to fill you in on too!
5) Learn a few new phrases
Attempting to learn the language of the country before you will not only help you to get around but also make you a lot more confident once you're there. It also shows that you respect the place you are living in and you never know, you could make a few friends among the locals.
6) Remember you're not there forever!
Make the most of your time out there, as it might not be forever. Live for the moment, get out there, and do and see what you can! From the moment you step foot till the moment you're packing your suitcase back home, who wants to waste their time worrying? It will be one of the most fulfilling and enriching opportunities of your life. So make sure you enjoy your TEFL experience even if it does all feel a little scary at first
So, did you suffer from culture shock when you started teaching abroad?
